Nikola Jokic, the three-time MVP for the Denver Nuggets, has resumed on-court workouts following his left knee hyperextension suffered on December 29 at Miami. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Wednesday that Jokic is progressing rapidly and remains on schedule for a potential return by the end of January.
Jokic’s injury occurred in a 147–123 loss to the Heat when teammate Spencer Jones inadvertently backed into his stance, causing the hyperextension. Initial concerns about ligament damage were eased after medical evaluation, and the Nuggets ruled him out for roughly four weeks.
The 30-year-old center is averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11.0 assists this season across 32 games. His efficiency remains elite with a 60.5% field-goal percentage and 66.5% on two-pointers, highlighting his value on both ends of the floor. Jokic’s return would provide a major boost to Denver’s offense and facilitate postseason award eligibility, including MVP and All-NBA considerations.
Denver currently sits second in the Western Conference with a 27-13 record, trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Nuggets have been maintaining form without Jokic, led by Jamal Murray’s 25.6 points and 7.5 assists per game, but his presence is expected to elevate team performance significantly.
Charania noted that Jokic will gradually rebuild movement, including sprinting, running, and cutting, over the coming weeks before fully rejoining game action. The Nuggets aim to integrate him carefully to ensure long-term durability while targeting a late-January return window.
